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Updated 2:43 p.m. - SAN DIEGO, CA -- Mitt Romney assailed President Obama's comments to outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev about increased "flexibility" after the election this fall.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev chat following the conclusion of their bilateral meeting March 26 at the Nuclear Security Summit Seoul, South Korea.
At a medical device company in San Diego, Romney called the president's comments -- captured Monday on an open microphone -- "an alarming and troubling development" as part of a longer wind-up about the importance of missile defense and standing by our allies.
“This weekend, the president happened to be somewhere where the microphone was left open. You may have heard that. It can be revealing, in this case, it was. He was speaking with Mr. Medvedev, of Russia. And he said, ‘This is my last election, I can be more flexible after the election is over,'" Romney started.
"Now when the president of the United States is speaking with the leader of Russia saying he can be more flexible after the election, that is an alarming and troubling development," Romney said. "There's no time for our president to be pulling his punches with the American people and not telling us what he's intending to do with regards to our missile defense system; with regards to our military might and with regards to our commitment to Israel; and with regards to our absolute conviction that Iran must have a nuclear weapon."
Obama's comments were captured at the very beginning of the photo opportunity after the the bilateral meeting between the president and Medvedev, when the two leaders were leaned over and speaking to each other.
RELATED: Obama's hot mic moment
"This is my last election," Obama was heard saying, "After my election I have more flexibility."
Medvedev responded that he would "transmit this information to Vladimir," meaning Vladimir Putin, the president-elect of Russia.
A Russian journalist's recording indicates the two leaders were talking about missile defense, a touchy area in U.S.-Russian relations.
Before Romney's remarks had concluded, President Obama's campaign pushed back at the former Massachusetts governor's criticism.
“Once again Governor Romney is undermining his credibility by distorting the President’s words," Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt said in a statement. "Governor Romney has been all over the map on the key foreign policy challenges facing our nation today, offering a lot of chest thumping and empty rhetoric with no concrete plans to enhance our security or strengthen our alliances."
Romney delivered his attack of the president during a speech that began with a critique of the President's health care law. Standing before a sign reading "Repeal and Replace Obamacare," Romney said there were "a lot of reasons not to like Obamacare," and outlined a number of his issues with the law, but stopped short of his usual direct call for the bill's repeal.
In his more than twenty minutes of remarks, Romney also never mentioned the Supreme Court case beginning today that could decide the law's fate well before the November election.
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HEILIGENDAMM, Germany (CNN) - U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday to cooperate on missile-defense systems, cooling tensions between the men at the G8 Summit in Germany. They made the announcement after a one-on-one private meeting at the Heiligendamm resort.
"It's much better to work together than to create tensions," Bush said.-CNN June 7th, 2007.
The moral of the story kids is that when a Republican does it, it's called diplomacy. But when the Hawaiian/Indonesian/Kenyan Christian/Muslim/Athiest Democrat/Communist/Socialist/Fascist US citizen/Illegal immigrant does it, it's caving.
I think whats scares most is the idea of dismantling our nukes while we are still in tension with the whole planet. Three words scares people= President, nukes and dismantling. We tend to become blind when we see those three little words. Republican here, saying this!!! I'll admit it, the idea of not having the ability to adequately defend ourselves terrifies me but as many have stated we have way more than enough nukes to defend ourselves, so I am over it. What I dislike is trying to tell other nations they can't have them!! Seems only slightly hypocritical!! If it takes having one to feel safe then by all means have one and shut up already and end your wars without them like a real man/woman!!! LMAO
Don't forget to add KGB...next they will say he is a neo-nazi :)
A conservative is someone who makes no changes and consults his grandmother when in doubt. Romney is not any good for this country and neither is our president now. The best thing for us to do is find someone other than who is running now.
Good job Mr.Romney! Best gift to our "glorious" leader of "United Russia". Putin spend a fortune on media trying to prove that protests in Moscow is a part of US "Evil plan" to destroy Russia. Now if someone in Russia is not sure about US intentions, mr.Romney make it loud and clear. Thanks a lot! Your statement citated now by all state-run media with proper comments. Cold War is such a good idea for mobilizing short-minded idiots in both countries! Back in 80-s from all this boring problems, eh? A lot of politicans here in Russia will be happy to do it. Anyway, guys, remember this statement then after presidential campaign mr.Romney will "look into the Putin eyes". They oil-colored, and even toughest Republicans can't resist such magic. You will see they will be best buddies!
In 2008, former Governor Romney said, "I'm the real candidate of change!"
Senator McCain said, "You sure are."
I can't agree more Governor Romney. I sometimes am shocked that in this day and age of video and youtube etc that someone would be that careless. Sometime before the election someone should make a list of all of these "hot mic" statements like:
"He did not cause this recession, but he made it worse."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"He didn't not create this recession, but he made it worse, and longer."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"When he took office the economy was in recession. And he made it worse."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
Sue Kroll/NBC: "How can you continue to say that things are worse when they really aren't worse?" I didn't say that things were worse. What I said was, the economy really hasn't turned around."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"In regards to my views with regards to protecting a women’s right to choose, and I’ve been very clear on that: I will preserve and protect a women’s right to choose, and have devoted and dedicated to honoring my word to that regard.-Mitt Romney 2/2007
I believe that abortion should be “safe and legal” in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, we should sustain and support it. And I sustain and support that law and the right of a woman to make that choice."-Mitt Romney 1994
“ I support the reversal of Roe v. Wade, because it is bad law and bad medicine. Roe was a misguided ruling that was a result of a small group of activist federal judges legislating from the bench.”-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"As president, I will end federal funding for abortion advocates like Planned Parenthood."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"I don't speak for the scientific community, of course. But I believe the world is getting warmer. I can't prove that, but I believe based on what I read that the world is getting warmer. And number two, I believe that humans contribute to that. I don’t know how much our contribution is to that, because I know there have been periods of greater heat and warmth in the past, but I believe that we contribute to that. So I think it's important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that may well be significant contributors to the climate change and the global warming that you're seeing."-Mitt Romney 6/2011
"My view is that we don’t know what’s causing climate change on this planet. And the idea of spending trillions and trillions of dollars to try to reduce CO2 emissions is not the right course for us. My view with regards to energy policy is pretty straightforward. I want us to become energy secure and independent of the oil cartels. And that means let’s aggressively develop our oil, our gas, our coal, our nuclear power."-Mitt Romney 10/2011
"In Massachusetts, I was able to put in place a plan that helped get health insurance premiums down, and gets all of our citizens insured. If we can do that nationally, we help the entire nation.“-Mitt Romney 1/2008
“At the time I crafted the plan in the last campaign I was asked is this something you would have the whole nation do, and I said no. This is something that was crafted for Massachusetts. It would be wrong to adopt this as a nation.“-Mitt Romney 10/2011
“I think there is need for economic stimulus. Americans have lost about $11 trillion in net worth, and government can help make that up in a very difficult time.”-Mitt Romney 1/09
“I have never supported the President's Recovery Act... No time, no where, no how have I supported the President's stimulus."-Mitt Romney 9/2011
"Look, I was an Independent during Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush." -Mitt Romney 1994 Senate debate.
“The right way for America to proceed when we face the kind of challenges we face is to pursue the strategy which Ronald Reagan pursued when we faced the challenges of the last century.” Mitt Romney 11/2007.
“So there are some tax proposals that are called a flat tax that I don't agree with because they end up being huge breaks for the highest income Americans of which I happen to have been one, still am, and I'm not looking for a tax break for me.”-Mitt Romney 8/2011
"I love a flat tax"-Mitt Romney 8/2011
“If you're looking for someone who's never changed any positions on any policies, then I'm not your guy.”-Mitt Romney 12/2007
"I think you'll find that I've been as consistent as human beings can be as I look at those issues and as I try and apply those principles to government.”-Mitt Romney 11/2011
You REALLY have to watch out for those live mics.....
What the soon to be King of Pond Scum really meant was "I don't need no stinking Congress or Constitution after I get relected."
Not to mention his contempt for informing voters of his true intentions so they can make a truthfully informed decision about who they want calling the shots.
Dr B
- You are confused. He was simply stating that he needs more time. Obama is a great POTUS.
Obama 2012!!!
FT
I know that is the spin Obama wants to put on it, but if you listen to what was actually said that spin makes no sense. Mr. Obama needs to tell the voters what his position is on missile defense,Iran, NK and Afghanistan/Pakistan. And not with pie in the sky rhetoric, but details of how he proposes to deal with each of those issues. We don't need platitudes that are quickly forgotten if Mr Obama manages to stay in office after the election. We need concrete proposals that he actually intends to stick to. Then we can decide if we agree or disagree with the positions he wants to take. Its our national security, we deserve to be heard and to decide its fate based on an informed electorate.
Didn't you leave out the part where the GOP candidates need to give us their postions on;
Missle defense, Iran, N Korea, AF/Pakistan, Syria, Israel and every other country in the World?
Don't we need their "concrete proposals on what they actually intend to stick to"?
Or are you just a typical teapublican who only sets up guidelines for the President - not those who want to replace him?
Yes all candidates should give their detailed positions on these issues.
Obama has been Pres for a term now, we have a pretty good idea what his positions are.
Mitt would write his positions on an Etch a Sketch and flip it over when he gets elected.
Newt will say anything he can to get elected he has lied to his wives and if you don't think he doesn't lie to the American people I have some Ocean View Property to sell you in Omaha.
Rick tells us we need to make the government smaller then wants to increase government when it comes to limiting free speech, and artistic expression - you know the porn thing?
Who knows what Ron is for except; more money for the corporations, no military, and less rights.
I shouldn't be amazed how many are blind it's been prophesied. Let me tell you how things will unfold. Obama gets back in office, whatever means necessary. Obama along with others force Israel to make a peace treaty and give up land. Russia and Iran attack Israel (hence leniency on missiles). U.S. gets nuked off the map, don't think for a second the Muslims won't do it and don't think for a second a Muslim President who hate America won't allow it to happen. So keep supporting you dictator-in-chief he doesn't care about you, he's using you. I hope I'm wrong but, if it happens I can't even say I told you so because you'll be dead. www.brendasblog7.com/home-page
Obama , in a subsequent statement, admitted that he was not going to level with the voters prior to the election by saying these matters are complex. Apparently Mr. Obama does not feel the voters are entitled to weigh in on complex issues. After all the great Ozbama knows best for all.
The one theme that comes shinning through, time and time again, with Obama is that he will say one thing to get votes but will do the exact opposite when the rubber hits the road. His arrogance and self importance (read gigantic ego) is the driving force behind all that he does, not the will or good of the American people.
Wow ! Obama makes a fascinating statement indicating the upcoming election is more important than a policy related to national security !! Imagine that !!!
So what ensues is a mental masturbation from the lefties trying desperatelt to deflect the negative focus to Mitt Romney. Hey, read the article again. It says Obama was "caught" with an open microphone.
Oh, and the comment from Chris at #1.19........ I hate to break the news to you genius, but Madeleine Albright and Bill Clinton were tossing around the terminology "weapons of mass destruction" long, long before George Bush was elected President. Nice attempt to distort, but an epic failure on your part.
Concerning is what we are not hearing from Mr. Romney's discussions about foreign policy with the neocons, like Mr. Bolton, who surround Mr. Romney.
The neocons surrounded Mr. Bush the Younger. They kept a low profile prior to his election. After his election, they immediately implemented war plans in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Romney's statements about making the armed forces stronger and being tougher on Iran than Mr. Obama suggest a strong bias in favor of bombing Iran.
Some experts opine that bombing Iran will not prevent the development of a nuclear weapon, if that is their intention. Bombing will delay development and strengthen resolve to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Obama was stating that he needs more time. That is it. I do not understand how so many people can make up stories on a 15 second conversation.
To Texas with love - from another Texan (with love) - It's simple: It's because Obama has proven to be a very devisive, radical, socialist, non-transparent lying bastard who has had more than plenty of time to unite the country and only needs more time in order to complete his objective of splitting this country wide-open.
Simple minds will swallow the spin every time.
that is what they do. Most of the anger toward Obama is because of the stinking lies the other side has to make up. HOwever, when they are proclaiming how many values they have and what christians they are I think God knows exactly what they do. And he will deal with it. They can lie and get some ignorant people to vote for them but God knows every lie they tell. Apparently they haven't thought that through.
Romney would of done the same thing if he was in Obama's shoes. It's just something Romney can use to say at his rallies. They all lie come election time, pretending to be so honest to win an election. Look at the 2008 elections, I never heard so much garbage talk by the political parties especially Republicans & their mouth piece at FOX NEWS day after day. They had people, voters made to think Obama was a terrorist & he was born with Gorilla Apes in the Congo. Nixon lied to the public on tv, Bush lied for 8 yrs. Kennedy never lied he just didn't get caught. Reagan lied & Ollie North took the bullet for Iran/Contra affair. Gerald Ford forgave Nixon for lying, but God probably didnt. Liar,Liar election is hanging on the wired microphone. How hot was the microphone Obama was heard on, not that hot. He told the Ruskie the truth, election time is here.
Our illustrious SOTUS (Socialist of the United States) Obama has once again proven to be the lying bastard that he is. This Kenyan a*swipe is without any doubt, the most NON-transparent and devisive pile of crap to ever "grace" the White House. He has divided this country so badly, that he is on the verge of invoking another civil war. His job-killing warped views and vision for this country is so damn far to the radical left that he has split this country wide-open to the point it resembles trying to mix together oil with water. This country cannot, and will not, survive another 4 years with this educated village idiot in charge. He doesn't have a lick of business sense and he seems to be determined to get rid of American superiority. Not only does his unconstitutional Obamacare need to be completely scrapped, the country needs his worthless ass out of office and preferably out of the country. Obama seems to worship the European economies so maybe the bastard is best suited to go over to another country and play kum ba ya with their traditions, values and homeland security instead of screwing and meddling with my kids and grandkids futures. I resent this non-qualified foreign bastard taking apart me and my families' country, our quality of life, our Constitutional rights, our moral value system, our security, our independence, our religious freedoms, our economy and our non-socialistic right to have a government that works for us (as was intended) vs. us working for the government. I highly respect the office of POTUS but not the bastard that is currently occupying the office. A leopard doesn't change his spots and Obama has definitely proved that. Vote his ass out this fall so we can get the country moving the right direction. Anyone in any party would be an improvement over this gum-flapping moron!
Like after the election we are going to do an etch a sketch. Was this recorded? Because that sounds like a non first language as English remarks. The president does not talk like that. A little editing maybe?Of course he could have said something like I looked in his eyes and saw a friend or someone I could trust or something. How soon we forget. At least he wasn't talking to someone in China. I no longer thinks Putin is a problem.
With people like you who hate the president, if and when you get what the republicans have to offer I will have absolutely no sympathy for you guys and the jams and shape they will get you in. It is the innocent who vote intelligently that I have sympathy for. Can't you guys see that everything the lying republicans say the dems do they do themselves. And they just say the other side does it. That is why people think both sides act the same way. I rue the day that I ever voted for a republican. They are contemptible in every way they can be. Just listen to them. I am embarrassed for our country with these people in it.
Willard Romney wouldn't know a leader if one was shoved up his sorry fat arse.
The only thing thats more alarming and troubling than any spur of the moment comment a politician could make, is the utterly horrible idea that NitMit--this certtifiable rightwing nutcase-- could get elected to ofice.
To all you Obama lover's, Be careful what you wish for, you just might get Obama for Four more year's. Then his Pit Bull the EPA will really go to work on all of us. $6.00 a Gal. Gas, closing of all the coal mines, No more cheap electricity, another four year's of war in Afghanistan, maybe a war with Iran, etc. etc. Oh yeah sound's good to me.
Good!
I'll take that over Romney's dismantling Planned Parenthood, attacking Iran and North Korea, implementing the beloved Ryan Medikill Bill, privitizing Social Security, repeal Roe vs Wade, remove all entitlements, and removing gun laws.
At least, I expect that to happen with Romney saying he was going to.
Why would he do that, Tarzan? What would he possibly gain? You're a little nutty.
Obama was caught on tape making treasonist statements showing his radical Far Left agenda after In his opinion he gets reelected LOL Healthcare ,Stimulus, double digit unemployment ,failed Green investments I mean the list goes on and on his failures are staggering and he will lose in a Landslide come NOV I was right about his healthcare fiasco and Im right here also we are Looking at 12-16 yrs of GOP domination in Washington and its back to the Ghetto with Obumbler and Co. LOL
OMG! Another impeachable offense!
How long will it take republicans to get him out of office over this?!?
Or, is it like every other time, republicans don't have crap on him, just right wing rhetoric with no proof of squat.
Bosslimo - What is your explanation as to why Obama has spent a million dollars (or thereabouts) trying to stall, hide and prevent his birth certificate from being vetted? (The one that he finally produced after months has been determined by experts to be a counterfeit) How difficult would it have been and how long would it have taken for you or me to have produced a copy of our birth certificate? 15 minutes perhaps? Surely, Obama had an accessible copy of his birth certificate for all of the same other reasons growing up, that you and I have always had to produce a birth certificate for - unless part of the stalling was to destroy documents (which is highly possible). Usually where there is smoke there is fire and Obama has certainly created a lot of smoke and smoulder. When anyone works that hard and spends that much money to hide something - I think he is hiding and/or distorting information.
Steelman-495358
Great, another birther.
Look, it has been proven with not only the president's birth certificate, but the state birth certificate. There was no question regarding his nationality until some right wing conspiracy theorists thought it up. His birth certificate was online forever and it still wasn't good enough. He had to get the State of Hawaii to open up their books too. And, guess what, it still isn't good enough.
The president didn't cave into the crazy side of speculation, if people actually believed a president could not only serve in Congress but actually get elected that weren't a native of the land, let them be ignorant. Why is he the only president ever questioned on his birth? Why wait until after he was elected? Why didn't Hillary Clinton bring the issue up? She was running against him first. What did he spend a million dollars on? Who got the money? You are saying that he paid off everyone from his youth to his presidency to cover up the fact that he was somehow not an american? Please explain why every birther law suit that has been in court was thrown out. Let me guess, he paid off all the prosecutors, even though there were hundreds.
There's no convincing a birther supporter otherwise. Why do I bother. You're going to raise up the ridiculous to justify your stand.
You are suspicious only for one reason. Your party said there was "questionable" issues. They don't really mean to imply anything, its just a little fishy, right?
It has been well over 3 years, going on 4 since this president took office. Clinton was impeached for a blow-job in 3 months. Don't you think, just with sheer common sense, that if a republican, known to hate the president, vowing to make sure he is a one term president, claiming he is destroying the country and the freedom we hold dear, might just possibly find any one of the issues they say is an attack on the Constitution and use it to get rid of him?
I'm just saying, nothing they claim as treason, illegal alien, Muslim religion, or radical terrorism hold water.
Not one have stuck. And there has been a lot thrown against the wall to stick.
So, based on the current facts, without the right wing propaganda, there is no proof to the accusations AT ALL.
So, unless you see the president being impeached, you can sure bet whatever the accusation, it is probably just fictitious hype.
If the president wanted to be a billionaire, all he would have to do is start sueing people for slander.
Wow, I cannot believe there are people trying to make it sound like this was an OK thing for Obama to say. Watch the video people! We aren't misconstruing anything. He didn't say "Now is not a good time to discuss things because I have a lot going on" Listen to what he said. It is so blatantly obvious that he is 1. Arrogant about being reelected and 2. Planning to do something with Russia that would not be popular with those he hopes will vote for him. Any attempt to spin that to make it sound different is ridiculous.
"Any attempt to spin that to make it sound different is ridiculous."
er, what are YOU doing? Rotating?
Wow this is almost as disturbing as when Regan joked about bombing the Soviet Union. Lighten up....and quit spinning a brief comment as something more than it is...even if it is an opportunity to pander to your base and get elected ...that means you Romney & Santorum a fifty page document
I think its a very smart move by Obama. It buys time, and yet we are still implimenting the missile defence. People that get upset over this are extremely ignorant to polotics in general.
Making friends is better then what Romney is doing by making enemys before he is even elected, by saying Russia is enemy number one...
The current GOP is just s snapshot of Bushes failed policies that made the world a more dangerous place for americans and pissed off every other nation on earth.
Shaun123333 - Sounds to me like you're pretty ignorant of spelling (but I'm sure an expert on politics).
... and maybe he was saying exactly what he said. Sounds like a delaying tactic to me, like Obama wished to keep something dangling whose success or action would definitely depend upon being elected once again. What is the big news? OF COURSE it depends upon being elected again. Perhaps he'd like some Russian support in his re-election efforts?
I fear that you are right and am pretty sure you are when you speak of the Bush era "pissing off every other nation on Earth". Would YOU be pissed? I was. I am.